Essential Oil for Children

Essential Oil for Children

PublishedFebruary 21, 2012

Babies and children have an especially sensitive sense of smell. Therapeutic essential oils are very potent and should not be administered around children's face/nose. It takes only six weeks for babies to recognize their mother's scent and distinguish between their mother's and someone else's undershirt. Fragrance may be the first secret love bond of life, connecting mother and child in a wonderful way.

Essential Oils for Infants and Toddlers

Essential Oil Drops: Per age, per 25 ml carrier oil. The following drops of essential oils may be added to 25 ml carrier oil:

The value of aromatherapy essential and carrier oils, combined with massage, is enormous. If the correct oils are used in their correct dosage, the benefits are endless as there are no side effects, only advantages. Children respond very well to aromatherapy and enjoy the sweet fragrances as much as adults do.

If children are hyperactive after attending a birthday party and having loaded themselves with sugar, lavender and other balancing oils which have a calming effect can soothe them Coughs, colds and runny noses can quickly be treated with the essential oils to prevent further spread of respiratory infections. Eczema, asthma, abdominal cramps and other conditions respond well to the essential oils.

Essential Oil Drops for Young Children and Adolescents

The following calculations may be used as a guideline when mixing essential oils with 25 ml carrier oils for children and adolescents

Do no exceed 2 drops per 10 kg (22lbs) and 1 drop per 5 kg (11 lbs). Do not exceed maximum, which is 15 drops.

Example 1: Child age 12 weight 50 kg (110 lbs): 6-12 drops essential oils as per above calculation. For the weight (50kg (110lbs at 2 drops per 10 kg), the ideal number of drops would be 10 drops.

Example 2: Youth age 15 weighs 75kg (165lbs) 8-15 drops essential oils as per above calculation. For the weight (75kg at 2 drops per 10 kg and 1 drop er 5 kg), the ideal number of drops would be 15 as per the age, weight and the maximum drops used.

The following tables may serve as a guideline. Note: The table 'Drops per Age' is a separate table to 'Drops per Weight' and they are not intended to correspond with each other, i.e. a child age 2 does not necessarily weight 10 kg (22 lbs) and a child age 3 does not necessarily weight 15 kg (33 lbs) - use these tables independent of each other and refer to either age or weight.

Essential Oil Drops per AGE
per 25 ml Carrier Oil

Children age 2 years:

1-2 drops

Children age 3 years

2-3 drops

Children age 4 years

2-4 drops

Children age 5 years:

3-5 drops

Children age 6 years:

3-6 drops

Children age 7 years:

4-7 drops

Children age 8 years:

4-8 drops

Children age 9 years:

5-9 drops

Children age 10 years:

5-10 drops

Children age 11 years

5-11 drops

Children age 12 years

6-12 drops

Children age 13 years

6-13 drops

Children age 14 years

7-14 drops

Children age 15 years

8-15 drops

Children age 16 years

8-15 drops

Children age 17 years

9-15 drops

Children age 18 years

9-15 drops

Do not exceed maximum, which is 15 drops

Essential Oil Drops per WEIGHTper 25 ml Carrier Oil

10 kg - 22 lbs

2 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

15kg 33 lbs

3 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

20 kg 44 lbs

4 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

25 kg 55 lbs

5 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

30 kg 66 lbs

6 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

35 kg 77 lbs

7 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

40 kg 88 lbs

8 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

45 kg 99 lbs

9 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

50 kg 110 lbs

10 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

55 kg 127 lbs

11 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

60 kg 132 lbs

12 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

65 kg 143 lbs

13 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

70 kg 154 lbs

14 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

75 kg 165 lbs

15 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

80 kg 176 lbs

15 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

85 kg 187 lbs

15 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

90 kg 198 lbs

15 drops essential oils per 25 ml of carrier oil.

Caution: Do not exceed maximum, which is 15 drops

The same rule which applies to adults applies to children: Do not use more than double the amount of essential oils per week.

Children benefit therapeutically from essential oils used in their baths, but it is necessary to exercise caution when using essential oils. It is important not to exceed the recommended drops and to dilute skin irritant oils in 5 ml carrier oil (or bath gel) before adding to the bath. Non-irritant oils need to be well dispersed before children immerse. The following table is a guideline:

Important Points to Remember

Do not treat ill children without them having consulted a qualified medical practitioner, homeopath, chiropractor or any other registered professional.

Do not apply essential oils around baby / toddler's face/nose. It is best to apply to bottoms of feet. There is always a possibility that they may rub them in their eyes or get some on their hands and put them in their mouth. Essential oils are powerful but must always be used with caution.

Do not contradict or discontinue treatment prescribed by above mentioned professional. Apply aromatherapy in conjunction with prescribed treatment or medication.

Use oils for minor ailments such as cuts, grazes, minor burns, bruises, insect bites or stings. Do not overlook the importance of medical attention for serious or major conditions.

Never use undiluted essential oils. Exceptions are made with lavender and or minor burns, cuts, stings, etc.

Never administer oils orally.

Never apply oils internally.

Essential oils used in a bath should be diluted in a carrier oil (of bath gel). Never use skin irritant oils undiluted.

Essential oils used in a bath must not exceed the drops allowed as stipulated in the "essential oil Drops per Age' table.

Essential oils used in a massage must not exceed the drops allowed as stipulated in the "Essential Oils Drops per Age' table.

Before using an essential oil, check the safety of the oil and the recommended drops.

Steam inhalation treatments for children are shorter than for adults. Start with a few seconds, slowly increasing with each treatment by half a minute until 1-2 minutes have been reached.

Do not leave children unattended with steam inhalations or any other heat treatment.

Do not leave children unattended with diffusors.

Do no leave children in a room with doors closed with essential oils in vaporizer.

Keep undiluted, as well as diluted essential oils out of children's reach.

Do not use hazardous oils.

Only use "child-friendly' essential oils.

Do not allow children to pour essential oils into their baths, or any other treatment variation unless closely supervised, as they may exceed the limit of the drops allowed.

References: Aromatherapy for Natural Health and Beauty by Cecilia Salvesen

Essential Oil Uses for Babies and Children

See the Common and Botanical Name Index for the botanical name of each oil listed below.

2 Responses to Essential Oil for Children

Essential oils are used in a variety of ways, and include aromatherapy massage – where the oil is absorbed through the skin and vaporization where the essential oil molecules enter the bloodstream via the lungs.Essential oils are also used medicinally and taken internally, but this must NOT be undertaken by the layperson, but should only be done under the treatment and direction of a qualified medical practitioner. :.;;